お茶の美老園美老園
One of Kagoshima's oldest and most respected tea houses, founded in 1881. Biroen (美老園, meaning "age beautifully") is the retail brand of Kagoshima Seicha Co., Ltd., and has served Kagoshima-grown teas for over 140 years. Known for first-flush organic matcha from the volcanic soils of the Kirishima Mountains, the company is led by a 5th-generation tea master. Winner of World Green Tea Contest Grand Gold Prizes in 2014 and 2015.
Brand story
The business was founded in 1881 in Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture. In 1883, the second generation Denzo Mori relocated to Kagoshima — then Japan's most productive tea-growing region — and opened the Biroen tea house. The name combines 'bi' (beauty) and 'ro' (aging), expressing the philosophy that drinking good tea helps one age gracefully and remain healthy. After World War II, in 1947, the wholesale business was incorporated as Kagoshima Seicha Co., Ltd., while the retail shops continued under the Biroen name. Today the company operates more than 10 branches across Kyushu, selling teas from Kagoshima's best production areas. Their signature matcha is grown organically in the Kirishima Mountains, where volcanic ash soil, clean spring water, and coastal fog create ideal terroir. In 2013, the company launched the international sub-brand 'Smile Tea' to bring Kirishima organic matcha to overseas markets. The company holds FSSC22000 food safety certification and has won consecutive Grand Gold Prizes at the World Green Tea Contest.
Average across 1 scored blend. Scores can vary widely between blends.
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Official stores and authorized retailers in Japan.
お茶の美老園 products are also sold from counters inside department stores, supermarkets, shopping malls and station buildings. These stock the tea but are not tea houses to visit in their own right.
Supports: Founded 1881; Denzo Mori moved to Kagoshima in 1883; Biroen name meaning 'age beautifully'; Kagoshima Seicha Co. Ltd. incorporated 1947; Minister of Agriculture award 1964; ISO22000 2007; FSSC22000 2010; World Green Tea Contest Grand Gold 2014 and 2015
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